Durham Nurses’ Group Holding Forum on Marijuana Legalization

The Durham-Northumberland chapter of a nurses’ association is holding a public forum on the possible impacts on health and health care if marijuana is legalized in the spring of 2017.

The event will highlight the ongoing debate among health-care professionals about the impact marijuana legalization will have on community health, and concerns regarding access to care once the new legislation comes into effect.

The forum will have a panel of speakers from a variety of health-care fields, including Amy Archer (pain and palliative services), Beth Whelan (harm reduction services), Angela Kirby (community treatment services, Lakeridge Health) and Chris Arnott and Lisa Martin (public health). The panelists will present their perspectives on how the legalization of marijuana will impact the people who access their health-care services as well as the overall health status of Durham Region communities. The forum will also have a question-and-answer period for the attendees to interact with the panelists.